Ohio Man Takes Troopers on a 59 Mile Chase Near Riverton

A 32 year-old Ohio man is in custody after leading troopers with the Wyoming Highway Patrol on a 59-mile chase in Fremont County this weekend. Sheridan Media's Chris Foy has the story.

Matthew G. Snider, of Alliance, Ohio, was driving a 2001 Dodge Ram pickup that was reported stolen in Ohio on December 21.

The incident began shortly after 9 p.m. Saturday when a trooper observed a vehicle speeding on U.S. Highway 26 just outside of Riverton. The trooper attempted to stop the vehicle - but the driver didn't comply.

The northbound pursuit continued out of Riverton on U.S. 26/287 when Snider tried to ditch the trooper by turning off his headlights. According to the highway patrol, Snider went as slow as 40 miles per hour to a high speed of nearly 115 miles per hour. The pursuing trooper reports that he saw the driver toss several baggies of an unknown substance from the stolen pickup.

The driver eventually left the roadway by crashing through a barbed wire fence, heading into the snow. The pursuing trooper could not follow Snider, so he called for backup. Officers from the Wind River Bureau of Indian Affairs Police Department, equipped with a four wheel drive vehicle with tire chains, arrived on-scene.

The officers tracked the stolen pickup down over several hills approximately three-quarters of a mile from the highway and arrested Snyder - who had crawled in the back seat and then passed out.

Authorities say Snyder has been charged with speeding, driving while under the influence, eluding, driving while drivers license under suspension, possession of a stolen vehicle and reckless driving.

The case remains under investigation while troopers attempt to locate and test the unknown substance tossed from the moving vehicle. At this time it's unknown if Ohio law enforcement will seek Snyder’s extradition back to his home state for the stolen vehicle charges.